Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-27
THE MEETING OF THE CLUB LisT
THURSDAY.
a Large Observation-Disclosures RUINS
Paper-The State
Fair, &C.

elected for the ensuing twelve months
President. b. sPuTyear; Nire-Presldeht,
| Thomas PinclIney Recording Secretary
and Treasurer II. Theodore Ellyson
Corresponding Secretary, Otvay 5.
Allen.
Mir. Julian VI. Rufin read the follow
ing paper, which drew forth interesting
remarks from Randolph Harrison, Frank
Guy, r. +. Boirne, Dr. Macon, aud
Ashton Starke.
"wHAT LEGISLATION IS MOST NEEDED FOR
THE FARMERS OF VIRGINIA"
Mr.. President, You have appointed
me to prepare paper on the question
"What legislation Is most needed for
tho farmers OF Virginia 2" You could
not have selected a more important sub
ject, or one in which / am more inter
ested, but | should have greatly pre-
| ferrcd TO hear from one OF our Older
members, who could bring greater wis
dom and experience to bear on this diff
cult problem. However, as / am eX-
pected to lead of, / will submit my
views, hoping that others will follow, 50
that we may if possible arrive at some
/ definite conclusion.
The question seems to assume that
/ legislation Of some kind is needed by
4 the farmers Of our State, and very right
+ ly it docs, for it is an indisputable fact
/ that agriculture isnow at very low ebb
that while the earth has not refused to
/ yield her increase and an advise PrOvl-
/ dence blesses us with abundant harvcsts,
still there is great complaint throughout
our land that farming does not pay.
lnan article published in the N0U'hCn
| Planter more than twelve months Ego |
endeavorcd to show that this was the
trne status of Onr business, and was con-
/ demned for being SO candid was told
that we ought to keep such m untOrtu-
nate and uncomfortable condition a pro-
found secret. But when zeal, energy,
industry, and brains bring so much less
reward in farming than in other pursuits,
we should admit 1t, and then it becomes
orr duty to consult together to de-
wise, if possible, remedy for so
great an evil. And thus 1t is that
we come TO the question, "What
] ltklelhllOD ID illO0L nttufA lIA Allt III III
ers of Virginia? - There are many OF
our calling who would ask for assistance
and protection from the State and
/ National Governments, and TO this end
there have been various resolutions and
bills passed by our Farmers Assembly
and National Congress Of Farmers.
Following the long precedent set by the
Government in taking the manufacturing
industry under its special charge and
patronage, now that agriculture Ian
guishes they would also demand the
same fostering care. This may be plausi-
bic to some, but for my part / am wholly
opposed to any such policy-firsi, be
cause ] hold that the Government trans
crosses its powers when it taxes the peo-
pie to bolster up and maintain any IN
dustry or pursuit and secondly, if We
60 into the grab game we will be left
nearly every time. Holding these views
/ should ask no fayors ut the hands Of
the Government, but demand even
justice TO all.
As to State legislation there should be
passed iudicious railroad law to supple
ment and make effective within the State
that wise measure known as the inter
State commerce bill. There should be
a larger appropriation to our Department
of Agriculture, so Gs to render it more
efficient and serviceable. But, my
friends, it is to Washington VIC must 60
to redress our troubles, and there, in my
humble judgment, the legislation of all
legislation which We need is the repeal
OF the present unjust, unequal, and I'M
bearable tariff system-a system which
bears most GENEROUSLY on agriculture,
causing it to pay tribute to corporations
and monopohes; system under
which we have groaned long enough,
and now at last it is pressing
us down to the very ground ;
a system which is contrary to the spirit
of our Constitution, in that it makes
taxes unequal. Henry Clay, the great
champion of protective policy, at first
asked for only ttrce years of protection
for the infant factories to get on their
feet but after seyenty-odd years Of as
sistance they cannot yet stand alone.
And they never a0W so long as they can
hoodwink and blind the farmers by a
false pretence Of home market for their
produce. The great wonder is that agli-
culture has held up so long under this
unjust discrimination, and but for the
vast and fertile lands OF the great West
it could not have done so.
This good old mother has fostered and
protected her oyer-grown children 50
long that she is at last worn out with
their care. The farmers OF this country
pay direct tax averaging about - per
cent. on every manufactured article
which is needed in carrying on their
business, and what benefit do we derive {?
Absolutely worse than none for the
home market is never sufficient to con-
sumo all we produce, and We only get a
price fixed by the figure at
which the surplus is taken. The
price Of grain in Chicago is daily
regulated 10y the telegraphic report Of
the Liverpool market. So we have to
sell at Liverpool rates (minus freight,
&c., in a market where we come in COM
petition with all the world, or at the
lowest price and then our Government,
with its strong arm, compels us to buy
all We need in protected home
market, where none can compete,
and, therefore, the highest in the world.
Added to this, We are fast losing England
as a buyer of American wheat. because
she has been driven by the restrictions
and high rates of duty put on her trade
here to build up wheat country in In
dia. Germany and France are increasing
their duties on the importation OF
American meats, as we show no inclina-
ton to admit in trade their commodities.
Thus it is that this policy tends to close
foreign maTts to US.
l believe that the nearer all nations
come to free trade, greater the prosperity
and happiness; that the great prosperity
of this New World is largely due TO the
perfect free trade existing between the
States. Still, the policy has been 50
long established Of raising our revenue
by indirect taxation that it cannot now
be changed. So we should favor n
gradual reduction TO a basis OF tariff
for revenue only"
To prevent favOritism and eternal a0i-